'The Gipper' Turns 100: Ronald Reagan's Centennial

February 5, 2011 1:20 PM

Photo: The White House/Getty Images

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FILE - In this May 5, 1985 file photo, then U.S. President Ronald Reagan, 2nd left, his wife Nancy Reagan, then West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, right, and his wife Hannelore, 2nd right, visit the military cemetery in Bitburg, western Germany. President Reagan and Chancellor Kohl stirred a global outcry in May 1985 when the American leader visited a German military cemetery that included the remains of 49 members of Adolf Hitler’s Waffen SS troops. Reagan stuck to his promise to visit the cemetery in Bitburg despite a torrent of criticism from Jewish groups, U.S. veterans and others. less

FILE - In this May 5, 1985 file photo, then U.S. President Ronald Reagan, 2nd left, his wife Nancy Reagan, then West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, right, and his wife Hannelore, 2nd right, visit the military ... more

Photo: File, ASSOCIATED PRESS

FILE - In this May 5, 1985 file photo, then U.S. President Ronald... Photo-11956902.2727 - Houston Chronicle

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FILE - In this Feb. 20, 2008 file photo, U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, answers questions during a press availability in Anchorage, Alaska. Young says there are similarities between the election of Donald Trump and the 1980 election of Ronald Reagan, which he says came during a period of "malaise" when people lacked hope and wanted change. less

FILE - In this Feb. 20, 2008 file photo, U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, answers questions during a press availability in Anchorage, Alaska. Young says there are similarities between the election of Donald Trump ... more

FILE - In this Oct. 1, 2015 file photo, sailors of U.S. navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan man the rails upon arrival as some U.S. flag-shaped balloons are hoisted to welcome them at the U.S. Navy's Yokosuka base in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo. Donald Trump has raised the specter of withdrawing U.S. forces from South Korea and Japan unless they share more of the burden of hosting the 80,000 troops, even as neighboring North Korea has conducted nuclear and missile tests with unprecedented intensity. less

FILE - In this Oct. 1, 2015 file photo, sailors of U.S. navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan man the rails upon arrival as some U.S. flag-shaped balloons are hoisted to welcome them at the ... more

A cardboard cutout of Ronald Reagan is seen against a wall as supporters wait for Republican incumbent Sen. Roy Blunt to make a stop at his campaign office Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, in Valley Park, Mo. Blunt is seeking a second term in a tight race with Democratic challenger Jason Kander. less

A cardboard cutout of Ronald Reagan is seen against a wall as supporters wait for Republican incumbent Sen. Roy Blunt to make a stop at his campaign office Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, in Valley Park, Mo. Blunt is ... more

Photo: Jeff Roberson, AP

A cardboard cutout of Ronald Reagan is seen against a wall as... Photo-11771136.2727 - Houston Chronicle

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FILE - In this Jan. 6, 1981, file photo James Brady, selected by president-elect Ronald Reagan to become his press secretary, talks to reporters after the announcement was made in Washington. Brady, the affable, witty press secretary who survived a devastating head wound in the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan and undertook a personal crusade for gun control, died Monday, Aug. 4, 2014. He was 73. less

FILE - In this Jan. 6, 1981, file photo James Brady, selected by president-elect Ronald Reagan to become his press secretary, talks to reporters after the announcement was made in Washington. Brady, the ... more

President Barack Obama speaks in front of the iconic Brandenburg Gate in Berlin Germany, Wednesday, June 19, 2013. Obama spoke on the Gate’s eastern side, across the old border from where President Ronald Reagan gave his unforgettable “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this Wall!” speech in June 1997. This week also marks the 50th anniversary that President John F. Kennedy confronted Cold War tension in Wall-divided Berlin by telling residents, “Ich bein ein Berliner.” less

President Barack Obama speaks in front of the iconic Brandenburg Gate in Berlin Germany, Wednesday, June 19, 2013. Obama spoke on the Gate’s eastern side, across the old border from where President Ronald ... more

WASHINGTON - JUNE 9: Former first lady Nancy Reagan touches the casket of her husband, former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, during his state funeral on Capitol Hill June 9, 2004 in Washington, DC. Reagan's body will lie in state throughout the night until June 10. (Photo by Peter Jones-Pool/Getty Images) less

WASHINGTON - JUNE 9: Former first lady Nancy Reagan touches the casket of her husband, former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, during his state funeral on Capitol Hill June 9, 2004 in Washington, DC. Reagan's ... more

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 25: Gallery atmosphere at the Harry Benson retrospective hosted by Architectural Digest at the Pacific Design Center on March 25, 2008 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) less

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 25: Gallery atmosphere at the Harry Benson retrospective hosted by Architectural Digest at the Pacific Design Center on March 25, 2008 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by ... more

WASHINGTON - JUNE 10: A woman is reflected in a picture of the late U.S. President Ronald Reagan at a small shrine to the president while waiting in a line to pay respects to the body of Reagan who lies in state June 10, 2004 outside of the U.S. Capitol Building Rotunda in Washington, DC. Over 60,000 people have waited in lines of five hours or more to view Reagan's casket. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) less

WASHINGTON - JUNE 10: A woman is reflected in a picture of the late U.S. President Ronald Reagan at a small shrine to the president while waiting in a line to pay respects to the body of Reagan who lies in ... more

Photo: Spencer Platt, Getty Images

WASHINGTON - JUNE 10: A woman is reflected in a picture of the... Photo-561319.2727 - Houston Chronicle

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TAMPICO, IL - JUNE 6: A picture of former U.S. President Ronald "Dutch" Reagan sits in the window of a storefront next door to his birthplace June 6, 2004 in Tampico, Illinois. Reagan died June 5 at his home in California of old age after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease at the age of 93. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) less

TAMPICO, IL - JUNE 6: A picture of former U.S. President Ronald "Dutch" Reagan sits in the window of a storefront next door to his birthplace June 6, 2004 in Tampico, Illinois. Reagan died June 5 at his home ... more

Photo: Scott Olson, Getty Images

TAMPICO, IL - JUNE 6: A picture of former U.S. President Ronald... Photo-561318.2727 - Houston Chronicle

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WASHINGTON, D.C: (FILE PHOTO) US President Ronald Reagan (L) accompanies Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres to his car after their meeting in the White House October 9, 1984 in Washington, DC. Reagan, the nation's longest living president, battled Alzheimer's disease for the past decade and passed away age 93, June 5, 2004 at his home in Bel Air, California. (Photo by Herman Chanania/GPO via Getty Images) less

WASHINGTON, D.C: (FILE PHOTO) US President Ronald Reagan (L) accompanies Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres to his car after their meeting in the White House October 9, 1984 in Washington, DC. Reagan, the ... more

WASHINGTON D.C., USA: (FILE PHOTO) US President Ronald Reagan (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir meet in the White House February 18, 1987 in Washington, DC. Reagan, the nation's longest living president, battled Alzheimer's disease for the past decade and passed away age 93, June 5, 2004 at his home in Bel Air, California. (Photo by Herman Chanania/GPO via Getty Images) less

WASHINGTON D.C., USA: (FILE PHOTO) US President Ronald Reagan (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir meet in the White House February 18, 1987 in Washington, DC. Reagan, the nation's longest living ... more

WASHINGTON D.C., USA: (FILE PHOTO) US President Ronald Reagan (L) poses with his wife Nancy Reagan and Israeli Prime Minister Menahem Begin during an gala dinner at the White House September 9, 1981 in Washington, DC. Reagan, the nation's longest living president, battled Alzheimer's disease for the past decade and passed away age 93, June 5, 2004 at his home in Bel Air, California. (Photo by Ya'akov Saar/GPO via Getty Images) less

WASHINGTON D.C., USA: (FILE PHOTO) US President Ronald Reagan (L) poses with his wife Nancy Reagan and Israeli Prime Minister Menahem Begin during an gala dinner at the White House September 9, 1981 in ... more

WASHINGTON, DC: (FILE PHOTO) US President Ronald Reagan (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Menahem Begin meet in the White House September 9, 1981 in Washington, DC. Reagan, the nation's longest living president, battled Alzheimer's disease for the past decade and passed away age 93, June 5, 2004 at his home in Bel Air, California. (Photo by Ya'akov Saar/GPO via Getty Images) less

WASHINGTON, DC: (FILE PHOTO) US President Ronald Reagan (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Menahem Begin meet in the White House September 9, 1981 in Washington, DC. Reagan, the nation's longest living president, ... more

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 21: (FILE PHOTO) US President Ronald Reagan (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Menahem Begin walk in the White House gardens June 21, 1982 in Washington, DC. Reagan, the nation's longest living president, battled Alzheimer's disease for the past decade and passed away age 93, June 5, 2004 at his home in Bel Air, California. (Photo by Ya'akov Saar/GPO via Getty Images) less

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 21: (FILE PHOTO) US President Ronald Reagan (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Menahem Begin walk in the White House gardens June 21, 1982 in Washington, DC. Reagan, the nation's longest ... more

WASHINGTON, DC: (FILE PHOTO) US President Ronald Reagan (R) meets Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres in the White House September 15, 1986 in Washington, DC. Reagan, the nation's longest living president, battled Alzheimer's disease for the past decade and passed away age 93, June 5, 2004 at his home in Bel Air, California. (Photo by Ya'akov Saar/GPO via Getty Images) less

WASHINGTON, DC: (FILE PHOTO) US President Ronald Reagan (R) meets Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres in the White House September 15, 1986 in Washington, DC. Reagan, the nation's longest living president, ... more

402010 07: Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan kisses former First Lady Nancy Reagan in this undated file photo. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 4th 2002. (Photo courtesy Ronald Reagan Presidental Library/Getty Images) less

402010 07: Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan kisses former First Lady Nancy Reagan in this undated file photo. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 4th 2002. (Photo courtesy Ronald ... more

402010 06: Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan kisses former First Lady Nancy Reagan in this undated file photo. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 4th 2002. (Photo courtesy Ronald Reagan Presidental Library/Getty Images) less

402010 06: Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan kisses former First Lady Nancy Reagan in this undated file photo. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 4th 2002. (Photo courtesy Ronald ... more

402010 05: Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan dances with former First Lady Nancy Reagan in this undated file photo. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 4th 2002. (Photo courtesy Ronald Reagan Presidental Library/Getty Images) less

402010 05: Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan dances with former First Lady Nancy Reagan in this undated file photo. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 4th 2002. (Photo courtesy ... more

402010 04: Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan kisses former First Lady Nancy Reagan in this undated file photo. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 4th 2002. (Photo courtesy Ronald Reagan Presidental Library/Getty Images) less

402010 04: Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan kisses former First Lady Nancy Reagan in this undated file photo. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 4th 2002. (Photo courtesy Ronald ... more

402010 02: Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan share a laugh in this undated file photo. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 4th 2002. (Photo courtesy Ronald Reagan Presidental Library/Getty Images) less

402010 02: Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan share a laugh in this undated file photo. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 4th 2002. (Photo courtesy ... more

Photo: Getty Images

402010 02: Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy... Photo-561307.2727 - Houston Chronicle

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400646 01: (FILE PHOTO) U.S. President Ronald Reagan holds a press conference April 7, 1986 in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC. Reagan, who served as the 40th President of the United States, celebrates his 91st birthday February 6, 2002. (Photo Courtesy of the White House/Getty Images) less

400646 01: (FILE PHOTO) U.S. President Ronald Reagan holds a press conference April 7, 1986 in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC. Reagan, who served as the 40th President of the United States, ... more

385249 01: (FILE PHOTO) U.S. President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan celebrate their 36th wedding anniversary March 4, 1988 at a surprise party at the White House. Former President Reagan turned 90 years-old February 6, 2001 at his home in California. (Photo by Mary-Anne Fackelman-Miner/White House/Newsmakers) less

385249 01: (FILE PHOTO) U.S. President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan celebrate their 36th wedding anniversary March 4, 1988 at a surprise party at the White House. Former President Reagan turned 90 ... more

402010 01: Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan share a moment in this undated file photo. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 4th 2002. (Photo courtesy Ronald Reagan Presidental Library/Getty Images) less

402010 01: Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan share a moment in this undated file photo. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 4th 2002. (Photo courtesy ... more

Photo: Getty Images

402010 01: Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy... Photo-561304.2727 - Houston Chronicle

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WASHINGTON - APRIL 28, 1981: (FILE PHOTO) Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan prepares a speech at his desk in the Oval Office for a Joint Session of Congress on April 28, 1981. Reagan turns 92 on February 6, 2003. (Photo by Michael Evans/The White House/Getty Images) less

WASHINGTON - APRIL 28, 1981: (FILE PHOTO) Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan prepares a speech at his desk in the Oval Office for a Joint Session of Congress on April 28, 1981. Reagan turns 92 on February 6, ... more

WASHINGTON D.C - JUNE 10: People look at a portrait of former President Ronald Reagan in front of the Ronald Reagan building and International trade Centre on June10, 2004 in Washington DC. Tourists from all over the country have come to the nation's capitol to honour President Ronald Reagan, the 40th U.S. president who died at the age of 93 on June 5 after a ten year battle with Alzheimer's disease. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images) less

WASHINGTON D.C - JUNE 10: People look at a portrait of former President Ronald Reagan in front of the Ronald Reagan building and International trade Centre on June10, 2004 in Washington DC. Tourists from all ... more

Photo: Paula Bronstein, Getty Images

WASHINGTON D.C - JUNE 10: People look at a portrait of former... Photo-561302.2727 - Houston Chronicle

President Ronald Reagan, center, and Mrs. Nancy Reagan, right of the President, join performers on stage during the finale of a special, ?Christmas in Washington,? at a taping for the NBC telecast, Sunday, Dec. 10, 1984, Washington, D.C. From left are: Hal Linden; Danny LaBoccetta of Queens, N.Y., who designed this year?s Santa Claus postage stamp; the Reagan?s; Marie Osmond and Donny Osmond. (AP Photo) less

President Ronald Reagan, center, and Mrs. Nancy Reagan, right of the President, join performers on stage during the finale of a special, ?Christmas in Washington,? at a taping for the NBC telecast, Sunday, Dec. ... more